Stock.



ERNEST L. VET'I'E, OF WATERVILLE, KANSAS.

STOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 18, 1916.

Application filed April 17, 1915. Serial No. 2am).

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST L. Vm'rn, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Waterville, in the county of Marshall and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stocks, of

which the following is a specification, refer- I the capturing of an animal, such as a hog or the like; and it is an object of my invention to provide a device of this. general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be readilyand conveniently applied into operative position and which may be employed with effectiveness.

Furthermore, it is an object ofthe invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be readily employed as a crate.

The invention consists in'the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved stock whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. r

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the appended claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein V Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a stock constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, a second position of one of the sections being indicated by dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a view 1n perspective of my improved device when assembled for use as a crate; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section and part y in elevation, illustrating one of the penetrat' g prongs, herein embodied, a second position of themember being indicated by dotted lines. r As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes an endsection of my 1mproved device having hinged to the opposite.

sides thereof the side sections 2'andeach of I said side sections has hingedly engaged therewith'the'additional side sections 3, and it is to be observed that the hinged connections between the sections are such as to permit the sections tObB readily and conveniently applied or removed when required. I prefer to have each of the hinges H, as herein embodied, comprising two sections l adapted to be maintained in interlocked relation through the medium of a removable pintle 5.

The end section 1 has pivotally engaged with the lower marginal portion thereof the prongs 6'which are adapted to penetrate the ground and hold the stock against movement particularly in such instances when the animal exerts pressure against the section 1. It will also be perceived that should the member advance in a direction away from the section 1, the members 6 will travel freely over the ground.

It is thought to be self-evident that by having the. various sections hinged one to the other that they may be adjusted inia manner most suitable for confining an animal, it being understood that initially the sections 3 are so positioned as to afi'ord an entrance opening for the stock and after the animal has entered the stock, such sections are adapted to be moved in a closed position so as to confine the animal therein, and in order to facilitate the maintenance of such sections 3 in such closed adjustment, I employ the spring catches 7 carried by the outer end portion of one of the sections 3 and adapted to 'detachably engage the outer extremity of the second section 3. I also find it of advantage to provide the 11, per portion of the section 1- w'iththe aline eye members 8 adapted to be detachably engaged by the'hook members 9. carried by the upper marginal portions of the sections 2 adjacent their pivoted. extremities and whereby said sections 2'may be effectively locked in a predetermined adjustment relative to the section 1. The sections 2/also have their outer extremities at their upper marginal portions provided with the spaced eye members 10 with which are adapted to coact the hook members 11 engaged with the outer sections 3, fora similar purpese.

also find it of advantage to provide the outer end portions of the sections 2 with the vertically spaced openings 12 which are adapted t6 receive the extremities of a rod 14, said ing over the tops of the sections or from,

lifting said sections from the ground when the top T is in applied position.

As herein embodied, the top T comprises two sections having their adjacent extremities hinged one to the otheras indicated at 15, said hinges being preferably of the same construction as has hereinbefore been set forth relative to the hinges H. The side marginal portions of the sections of the top are also adapted to be hingedly connected with the adjacent marginal portions of the sections 2 and 3, preferably by hinges 16 also of the same arrangement as previously referred to.

adapted to be close by the section 17 also secured to the outer extremities of the sec-.

tions 3 by hinges 18 constructed as are hinges H, hereinbefore referred to.'

When my improved device is employed as a crate, the sections 1, 2, 3 and 17 are adapted to be rested upon the bottom panel 19 provided with the upstanding marginal flanges 20 overlying the adjacent marginal portions of said sections. In practice, I find the it of particular advantageto have the sec-- tions 1, 2, 3, and the sections of the top T reticulated, and the section 17 and the bottom panel 19 imperforate. 4

From the foregoing I description, it is thought to be obvious that a stock conand facility with which it'may be assembled,

and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practioe.

It will be appreciated that my improved device, when not in use, may be compacted 1 to occupy a minimum of space.

When the top'T is in applied position, the 4 end of the device op osite to the section 1 is I claim:

1. A stock comprising a plurality of sections hinged one to the other, and penetrating prongs the sections. v j 2. A stock comprising'a plurality of sections hinged one to the other, and penetratmg prongs pivotally engaged with the lower marginal sections.

In testimony whereof'I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST L; VETTE.

B. N. WELCH, FRANK AUeUs'rUs. I

. Witnesses:

pivotally engaged with one of portion of one of the intermediate 

